During the 10 days of the Longest Game for CF, we had a video crew on site at all hours to capture the experience of the players and volunteers. Beyond Your Eye Productions is busy working through all the footage to create a documentary. I am looking forward to seeing the finished product as I have already been touched and moved by the 'teaser' videos that they have released so far.
I would like to thank Sharron and Carmen for being committed to this project; to help us tell our story and re-live our experience. As a player, the footage brings back so many memories and gives me some insight to what happened with my teammates when I was back at the RV attempting to sleep and rest my aches and pains.
Being involved in the Longest Game 4 CF has been a life changing experience for me. It has opened my eyes and my heart to the CF community. I will always have a 'family' connection to the women who spent those 10 days with me, challenging ourselves, and looking out for each other.
A big thanks to all our volunteers who were there day and night, ensuring we were safe, providing us meals, first aid and support. Thank you to our volunteer refs, timers/air horn blowers, Zamboni drivers, silent auction monitors and greeters. It was comforting to see so many of my friends come out to help and cheers us on.
Thank you to my family who came out and/or sent me encouraging text messages, even at 4 in the morning after watching my evening shift on the live stream . A big Thank you to my husband who not only came out every day to see me (and sometimes brought our dogs) but for also doing my hockey laundry every day.Now that is LOVE!
The Longest Game 4 CF was an opportunity to challenge myself, and to believe in myself enough to do the impossible. The first 3 days were pure Hell! I prepared myself for the aches and pains in my feet and legs but I did not think about the impact that the lack of sleep would have, especially when dehydrated. By day 4, I relied less on the sports drinks and drank more water. I also abstained from diet coke during the 10 days as I did not want to experience dehydration again. Sleep remained a challenge throughout the 10 days, and many of us tried to get it anytime, and anywhere that we could.
While I still have the scars on 3 of my ankles, and a slightly temperamental groin muscle, the persistent pain that I have is in both my wrists and the ring finger tendon on my left hand. I have a great physiotherapist who has been helping me get them back to normal.
The LG4CF was a mental and physical challenge but the end product was well worth it. We accomplished our 3 goals: We broke the world record by 65 minutes, Raised awareness for CF, and raised money towards Research and a Cure for CF. To date, we raised $185,500. Thank you to all our supporters and I would like to Thank all those who donated to my fundraising page, bought T-shirts and/or attended our fundraising pub nights.
Please check out the Beyond Your Eye Productions website for more documentary updates. In the meantime, enjoy the 2 recently released trailers below.
(If the video does not appear below, click on the link for Beyond Your Eye Productions)
Cheetah Spirit: The Journey to a Healthier lifestyle.
Sunday 11 December 2011
Tuesday 18 October 2011
101 Things in 1001 Days
I’ve been inspired by fellow blogger and LG4CF player Beth, to participate in the 101 Things in 1001 Days challenge. The idea is to accomplish 101 Things in the next 1001 days. These are things that you have considered doing, but never really pushed yourself to do them. This is where the Task list meets the Bucket list.
This list took me about 4 days to develop. I had about 15 items on the list right away, but then I had to start looking for more ideas. I pilfered a few from Beth and others who are involved in the challenge. If you Google 101 Things in 1001 days, you will find a lot of other lists to help generate your own.
You should also check out the website Day Zero Project, where it all began.
As I looked through all the other lists, it started to make me think of other self challenges. I had to revise the list a few times, but by the end, I came up with 110 items; 9 of which have been parked for round #2.
I heard somewhere that there is a greater success rate in accomplishing tasks if you share them with others. Here is my list of 101 Things in 1001 days. Feel free to use some of my list for your own. If my list has inspired you to participate in this challenge, let me know so I can cross off #101!
101 Things in 1001 Days
Start: October 17, 2011
End: July 14, 2014
1) Enroll in a Masters degree
2) Pass the GMAT
3) Renew my CAPM (or write the PMP)
4) Read 20 books
5) Make a list of 100 things that make me happy
6) Make a list of 100 quotes that appeal to me
7) Get 8 hours of sleep every night for a week
8) Teach a continuing education class
9) Get a tattoo to commemorate the LG4CF
10) Get a pedicure
11) Get a massage at least once a month
12) Wear my hair straightened for a week
13) Get a family portrait done
14) Get the windows in the house replaced
15) Get the necessary repairs done on my car
16) Take Vegas for a dental clean
17) Donate blood at least 5 times
18) Adopt a BC Wild killer whale http://netcommunity.vanaqua.org/page.aspx?pid=377
19) Volunteer at a fundraising event
20) Help sponsor a family at Christmas
21) Send a just because care package to a friend
22) Send out Christmas cards on time
23) Send out 20 Thank you cards by snail mail
24) Reach my healthy weight
25) Get my cholesterol and blood pressure checked
26) Get a physical
27) Keep a food and exercise journal
28) Shoot hoops for 30 minutes everyday for a week
29) Join a Softball team
30) Exercise 5 days a week for a month. Including cardio and strength training. Continue as inspired…
31) Run a 10K under 1 hour
32) Complete a ½ marathon
33) Participate in the 5K Obstacle Course Zombie run
34) Take ballroom dance lessons
35) Play in a hockey tournament
36) Walk the Seawall/English Bay
37) Take a bike trip around Vancouver
38) Go to yoga once a week for 2 months
39) Golf at least 25 rounds
40) Go on a golf vacation
41) Break 100 in golf
42) Do the Grouse Grind
43) Take a Kickboxing class
44) Eat like a vegetarian for a week (at least 10 times)
45) Plan weekly meals 4 weeks in a row
46) No cheese for 2 weeks
47) Host a turkey dinner
48) Make homemade spatzle
49) Eat dinner at the table for a week
50) Follow Canada’s Food Guide to Healthy Eating every day for 1 month
51) Develop my own recipe to brag about
52) No Fast food for 2 months
53) No diet coke for a month
54) Go a month without dining out
55) Host a potluck
56) Make fresh bread in the bread maker for a month
57) Try 20 new recipes
58) Make a crock pot meal
59) Pack a lunch every day for a month
60) Visit 10 new restaurants
61) No chocolate for a month
62) Clean the home office and throw out/shred/recycle any unneeded papers. File the keepers
63) Have a garage sale
64) Vacuum & dust 3 times a week for a month
65) Paint the bathroom (upstairs main)
66) Blog at least once a week.
67) Buy an iPhone
68) Make an iTunes workout playlist of 180 minutes
69) Make a list of 41 songs that were significant in my life
70) Post 5 blogs showcasing each of my fur kids
71) Tweet 5,000 times
72) Sign up for HootSuite
73) Get a Boxee box and make our house ‘connected’
74) Go camping (not executive style)
75) Go on a day hike
76) Watch a dog agility competition
77) Go horseback riding
78) Rent a boat and spend the day exploring Howe Sound http://www.sewellsmarina.com
79) Get a Pleasure Craft Operators Certification (PCOC) for above
80) Take a motorbike trip to Whistler (as passenger) and spend the weekend
81) Go on a Ghostly walk tour in Victoria http://www.discoverthepast.com/gwalksdescrip.htm
82) Take the dogs for a walk in 5 different Lower Mainland parks
83) Host a game challenge party (Wii, PS2, PS3, air hockey)
84) See a drive in movie
85) Go to a Great Big Sea Concert
86) Don’t watch TV for a week
87) Attend a live theater or Opera
88) Attend a performance of the VSO
89) Attend a live comedy show
90) Go out with a friend once a month
91) Visit a jazz/blues club
92) Go out for an evening of dancing
93) Attend an event where I can wear a fancy dress
94) Renew my passport
95) Speak in front of a crowd of over 100
96) Go 10 days without spending any money (excluding bills)
97) Spend an evening singing to ABBA and Neil Diamond (Greatest hits) on the stereo (dancing optional)
98) Have a conversation with a celebrity
99) Read the Wealthy Barber Returns
100) Try something outside my comfort zone (not already on the list)
101) Inspire 5 people to create a 101 in 1001 days list
In progress
Use dateandtime.com! to calculate 1001 days from your start date
Friday 26 August 2011
Game On!
I had hoped to post last night but I didn't have any WiFi in my RV. I initially came to the rink last night to just drop off my gear but at the last minute decided to stay in the RV that I was assigned to get the feel for the living away from home for 10 days, and to meet my roomies Candice and Deb. Not to mention that the 5:30 am players meeting was too early to want to venture in from home.
I found out on Wednesday that the facility includes only the building and our fenced in RV area. No parking lot and no soccer fields. Luckily there is an area that my husband will be able to bring my dogs to come visit me during my time away.
There is WiFi in the arena although I was hoping to do more impromptu updates from the RV - I will do my best to keep you informed in between the playing, sleeping and eating...... I just realized I have some pictures to share but I forgot the camera cord in the RV so I will have to post them a bit later.
I had a bit of a choppy sleep last night, not sure if it was that I was afraid that I would sleep in or if it was from my anxious anticipation. I woke up about 3 times in the night but quickly went back to sleep. I woke exactly at 5am to get ready for the day. The player meeting was at 5:30 where we reviewed the rules and processes for the next 10 days. We had our breakfast just after 6 (thank you to our volunteer breakfast crew).
By 6:45 we were in our respective dressing rooms, getting ready to be on the ice by 7:15 for the introduction of each player, welcoming remarks, ceremonial puck drop, the National anthem, and warm up so that we were ready for the puck drop at exactly 8am.
My husband David and dad Rolph were here bright and early to share this moment. As were many media crew and if you watch the news today, I would be surprised if you don't see a mention of the Longest Game 4CF.
What was it like skating on the ice when my name was called....Emotional! I didn't realize I would feel that overwhelming sense of emotion. And as I looked around at the other players, I could tell they were feeling it too.
I completed my first hour of play and it felt good, although it did help that we had the full 20 Red players on the bench for shift changes. I haven't played in a game for almost 7years so for my first few shifts, I felt a bit scattered, but as the game went on, it was coming back to me. My next shift is 4pm - 8pm, and each shift will only have 1 sub for 4 hours. I have a feeling I will be able to reacquaint myself with all the positions by the end of this game.
If you can't make it out to the rink, there is video live streaming. I have linked it on the right side and below.
Game On - live video stream
Well, it is time for me to sign off now to grab some lunch and have a pre-game nap! I just noticed the next shift line is ready to relive the first shift so I have 4 more hours before I am back on the ice.
I found out on Wednesday that the facility includes only the building and our fenced in RV area. No parking lot and no soccer fields. Luckily there is an area that my husband will be able to bring my dogs to come visit me during my time away.
There is WiFi in the arena although I was hoping to do more impromptu updates from the RV - I will do my best to keep you informed in between the playing, sleeping and eating...... I just realized I have some pictures to share but I forgot the camera cord in the RV so I will have to post them a bit later.
I had a bit of a choppy sleep last night, not sure if it was that I was afraid that I would sleep in or if it was from my anxious anticipation. I woke up about 3 times in the night but quickly went back to sleep. I woke exactly at 5am to get ready for the day. The player meeting was at 5:30 where we reviewed the rules and processes for the next 10 days. We had our breakfast just after 6 (thank you to our volunteer breakfast crew).
By 6:45 we were in our respective dressing rooms, getting ready to be on the ice by 7:15 for the introduction of each player, welcoming remarks, ceremonial puck drop, the National anthem, and warm up so that we were ready for the puck drop at exactly 8am.
My husband David and dad Rolph were here bright and early to share this moment. As were many media crew and if you watch the news today, I would be surprised if you don't see a mention of the Longest Game 4CF.
What was it like skating on the ice when my name was called....Emotional! I didn't realize I would feel that overwhelming sense of emotion. And as I looked around at the other players, I could tell they were feeling it too.
I completed my first hour of play and it felt good, although it did help that we had the full 20 Red players on the bench for shift changes. I haven't played in a game for almost 7years so for my first few shifts, I felt a bit scattered, but as the game went on, it was coming back to me. My next shift is 4pm - 8pm, and each shift will only have 1 sub for 4 hours. I have a feeling I will be able to reacquaint myself with all the positions by the end of this game.
If you can't make it out to the rink, there is video live streaming. I have linked it on the right side and below.
Game On - live video stream
Well, it is time for me to sign off now to grab some lunch and have a pre-game nap! I just noticed the next shift line is ready to relive the first shift so I have 4 more hours before I am back on the ice.
Tuesday 23 August 2011
Player Schedule released
My player schedule was sent earlier this evening and I finally figured out how to convert the Excel into a web based document so I could share it on this website. The link is below and I have also added a link on the bar on the right side of this page.
Julie's Player Schedule
The schedule is my initial schedule but it may change as the game progresses. I will update on this webpage whenever possible. There will also be up to date information in the front lobby at the rink for my supporters who come to the rink to visit and/or watch me play
The teams are comprised of 20 players who will be rotating shifts over the next 10 days (243 hours) based on a 7 player shift (6 skaters and the Goalie), which means that we will have 4 hour shifts with only 1 sub.
All players will be playing the first hour at the start of the game, when the puck drops at 8am this Friday, August 26th. All players will also play the last hour of the game, for the soon to be infamous record breaking 65 minutes on Sept 5th (~ 12 pm - 1pm)
Hope to see you at the game.....If you can't sleep, come cheer on the graveyard shifts!
Julie's Player Schedule
The schedule is my initial schedule but it may change as the game progresses. I will update on this webpage whenever possible. There will also be up to date information in the front lobby at the rink for my supporters who come to the rink to visit and/or watch me play
The teams are comprised of 20 players who will be rotating shifts over the next 10 days (243 hours) based on a 7 player shift (6 skaters and the Goalie), which means that we will have 4 hour shifts with only 1 sub.
All players will be playing the first hour at the start of the game, when the puck drops at 8am this Friday, August 26th. All players will also play the last hour of the game, for the soon to be infamous record breaking 65 minutes on Sept 5th (~ 12 pm - 1pm)
Hope to see you at the game.....If you can't sleep, come cheer on the graveyard shifts!
Sunday 21 August 2011
Kick Off Party
Last night was the official Kick off party for the Longest Game 4 CF. Players, volunteers, sponsors and supporters all had an opportunity to get together for good food and drinks at the Electric Owl. I even had a chance to connect with Michelle, who I played hockey with (and against) but I haven't seen her since I stopped playing in the hockey league 7 years ago. I also had a chance to share some Blog stories with Beth Snow, another LG4CF player.
The speakers were excellent. There was emotion behind the shared experiences and a realization of the significance of this event. A special thank you to our key sponsors:
65 Roses Club
It was a Kick Off Pep talk and I am very motivated to do my part in making this event a success.
The reason we are all involved in this event is due to a vision of Val Skelly. She envisioned this epic event over a year ago and has been a key driving force to see it through. The rest of the committee has been incredible organizing this event and ensuring all the details are managed by the time we take to the ice on August 26th.
Last night Val unveiled the new jerseys which I can't wait to wear (but in Red):
This morning I had a good Power skating / Hockey skills session and now I am off to run some errands to get all the 10 day essentials.
The puck drops in 4 days, 20 hours.......and counting!
The speakers were excellent. There was emotion behind the shared experiences and a realization of the significance of this event. A special thank you to our key sponsors:
65 Roses Club
It was a Kick Off Pep talk and I am very motivated to do my part in making this event a success.
The reason we are all involved in this event is due to a vision of Val Skelly. She envisioned this epic event over a year ago and has been a key driving force to see it through. The rest of the committee has been incredible organizing this event and ensuring all the details are managed by the time we take to the ice on August 26th.
Last night Val unveiled the new jerseys which I can't wait to wear (but in Red):
 |
| Val wearing the White team's jersey. |
 |
| Val Skelly (center) with Rebecca Malott (CF Researcher) and Martina Meckova (Director, CFC Vancouver/Lower Mainland branch |
The puck drops in 4 days, 20 hours.......and counting!
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